Without Further Ado!
Today, January 28, 2017, is the start of the “Chinese New Year” or “Lunar New Year” and two-thousand seventeen is the Year of the Rooster (a.k.a the Cock) – know in the Chinese zodiac as a self-assured, ambitious and hard-working animal!
Weeks earlier, as the Western calendar twenty-sixteen came to an end, my thoughts were turned to the traditional “New Year” resolutions and I decided I wanted to sharpen and focus my energies.
This was my personal observation for my year ahead in 2017:
January 2, 2017
New Year’s resolutions may seem to some like a cliché, destined to fail by March.
As I began to think yesterday about the last couple of years and the year ahead, each new year has had its own challenges and surprises, as will this one, but as I’ve looked over my past resolutions, fully completed or not, I’ve seen consistency in my intent and purpose for each year ahead.
I have typically set out a guiding intent or theme, supplemented by goals or hopes and desires. This year’s theme is “Leave it better!” The “it” being any and all of the things I intend to spend my time, energy, focus and life on this year including myself. Yes, I think we all hope whatever we participate in results in a good outcome. I decided to focus on this approach with purpose and intent, which also means eliminating or avoiding things which distract from its prominence in my life.
Some of my hopes for the year ahead include: Seeking revelations. Reestablishing my hobbies. Having a sense of profound gratefulness. Finding laughter. Evaluation of purpose. Engage in: Meditation. Reflection. Creation. Connection. Contemplation. Traveling. Daydreaming. Reading. Teaching. Learning. Volunteering. Telling my story.
Cheers to each day of year ahead!
For years I’ve loved poking around other blog sites, appreciating the variety of formats and gorgeous photography and moreover fascinated by the personal essays reflecting on the various authors’ hobbies, passions and experiences.
I’ve joked with my partner Brian for (too) many years now that I was going to start a blog about the experiences, meals, recipes, parties and cultural events which we and our friends enjoy.
Blogging, in form and technology, has become undeniably more accessible, but in my opinion it has also become more formidable—as super-star bloggers have elevated the medium to its own art-form—and the idea of starting one, especially now, was like any new adventure: intimidating! Errr….EXCITING!
Brian has rightfully accused me of “analysis-paralysis” when I overthink or try to perfect (most) ideas or decisions—everything from salad dressing choices to new living room furniture— often to the point of frustrating inaction.
As I discussed my 2017 resolutions with friends, one in particular, Kirk, kept encouraging me to pursue a blog where I could share my perspective with others beyond Facebook and Instagram.
As the idea grew in my head over first few weeks of 2017, I gave myself the goal to take action by the end of January. After lots of homework and thoughts but this time with lots of analysis and action, “Uncommon Gents” came together, a name based on (i) availability (as so many great web domains and associated social media handles are already taken) and (ii) its thematic character (by the very definitions a nod to masculinity but not necessarily the traditional roles).
I’m excited for this challenge; excited to undertake something which requires a bit of personal discipline, I hope this affords me the opportunity to write more often and develop my voice as an author, my eye as a photographer, my palate as a foodie, my blogs as a blogger. Perhaps it will lead to meeting new people, making new friends, and inspiring others. No doubt it will offer the opportunity to more fully reflect on and document what is going on in my life and continue to introduce me to a world of human existence outside of my own.
“Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.”
– Oprah Winfrey, from “O Magazine” September 2003
Welcome to this journey!
